The Daily Discourse

Two weeks ago a conference was held at the University of the Western Cape that focused on the changes in and the future of the agriculture industry and its likely impact on the livelihoods of farmworkers and their communities. In today’s show we have as our guests representatives of the organisations that attended that conference to share their knowledge and thoughts with us. With us to discuss th...

The International Conference on Population and Development has opened in Nairobi yesterday (Tuesday) with a call to world leaders to commit to ending maternal and child deaths, female genital mutilation, Gender Based Violence, as well as child marriages. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged to the over 6,000 delegates gathered in Nairobi for the summit, that Kenya has agreed to end female geni...

South Africa has called on its BRICS counterparts to embrace its powerful position to be a voice of inclusion, of change and to advocate for a more progressive world order defined by cooperation. That was among the key messages delivered to foreign ministers of the group as heads of state and government including President Cyril Ramaphosa touched down in Brazil's capital Brasilia for the 11th iter...

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union says the national carrier South African Airways did not consult them about the possible retrenchments. SAA says it's embarking on a restructuring process which may lead to job losses. The embattled airline has informed its 5-thousand 1-hundred and 46 employees of the process. The airline has been facing several challenges, including high debt an...

We revisit the Russia-Africa Summit that was held last Month where leaders from the continent signed all manner of agreements with Moscow as we could not conclude our discussion last week. The Russian government and state companies signed dozens of memoranda of understanding and agreements and promised further cooperation, building on recent agreements with individual African governments. What sho...

Are there certain cars associated with retirement? And if so which is the best vehicle for senior citizens. This morning we will look at: What are the best vehicles to save for retirement? GUEST :Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

Heavy torrential rains have wreaked havoc across Durban in KwaZulu Natal and with severe thunderstorms affecting parts of the Eastern Cape. Meanwhile other provinces have been gripped by drought conditions. guest: KwaZulu-Natal co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka

Heavy torrential rains have wreaked havoc across Durban in KwaZulu Natal and with severe thunderstorms affecting parts of the Eastern Cape. Meanwhile other provinces have been gripped by drought conditions. For the latest weather forecast GUEST: Puseletso Mofokeng, Senior Forecaster at the South Africa Weather Service and SABC2 weather presenter

Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu has described the ANC's national integrity commission as "toothless". She says the commission is inconsistent and ineffective in instilling discipline in the party. We extended an invite to the chair of the Commission, George Mashamba who declined our request, saying the party doesn't debate comments made by fellow party members in...

Time now for our regular Monday feature Legally Speaking, this morning we look at whether there is a need for legislation to regulate churches. Last year the Portfolio Committee on Women in the Presidency suggested that legislation was needed to regulate churches operating outside the law. This given the rise on the commercialization of religion, the abuse and exploitation of people's belief syste...

We do a follow-up now to last week’s gathering of women in Johannesburg which was organized by the Zanele Mbeki Development Trust through their annual flagship African Women in Dialogue. 1-thousand women from the continent convened and raised many issues pertaining to the advancement of women on the African continent. What were the outcomes and how do they implement all of those things they were d...

As the second Investment Conference came to an end last week Friday, we heard final deliberations from investors. The last figure that we heard about in pledges was R393-billion. President Cyril Ramaphosa mentioned venture capital. Gavin Reardon, Founder of Kingson Capital welcomes the president’s views on venture capital GUEST: Gavin Reardon, Founder of Kingson Capital

Former Ambassador to Japan and State Security Agency boss, Thulani Dlomo is set to challenge his dismissal. Bongi Gwala speaks to his lawyer Philani Shangase who will be challenging the matter in court... GUEST: Philani Shangase, lawyer to former Ambassador to Japan and State Security Agency boss, Thulani Dlomo

KwaZulu Natal Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu is being accused of wasting in tax payers' money on a luxury car rental. This despite his predecessor's vehicle being made available for him to use. Mshengu reportedly refused to use the car as it belongs to his so called political rival, Mthandeni Dlungwane… GUEST: KwaZulu Natal Education MEC, Kwazi Mshengu

Lobby group AfriForum will assist the family of slain soccer star, Senzo Meyiwa to arrest his killers. The Bafana Bafana captain was gunned down at the house of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, Johannesburg in October 2014. Renowned Investigator Paul O’Sullivan has also weighed in on the matter to have Meyiwa's case resolved. GUEST: Forensic Investigator, Paul O'Sullivan GUEST: S...

Time now for our regular Friday Wind Down feature, where we profile prominent South Africans. In the spotlight this morning is a remarkable, extraordinary woman, who is loved and cherished by many for her work in exposing corruption during her time as the country's public protector. She was also instrumental in drafting the country's constitution. Gracing our feature this morning is Professor Thul...

As the class of 2019 sits for the exams, concerns are being raised over whether they are eating properly? Strange enough is that potatoes are said to be one of those foods recommended for the brain. Let’s learn more on this as we welcome…. GUEST: Mbali Mapholi - Consultant Dietitian at Potatoes South Africa

As we are already in the 4th Industrial revolution, we face a lot of challenges especially in the business sector. Just look around and see how many things have been advanced by technology. The scary part is that businesses don’t have a choice but to embrace it. Lauren du Plooy, director at Rae & Associates and an Intuit QuickBooks trainer says that businesses that embrace technology and empower t...

Households, government and businesses owe municipalities 165-billion rand. Municipalities' debts for water and electricity amounts to 39-billion-rand. The South African Local Government Association SALGA says this is why municipalities have been struggling to pay both Eskom and Rand Water. SALGA president Thembi Nkadimeng says they will look into ways of compelling consumers to pay. She has also c...

Yesterday family and friends paid tribute to veteran journalist Xolani Gwala at a memorial service at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Rivonia, north of Johannesburg. Gwala died on Friday aged 44 after losing the battle with colon cancer. He will be buried in his home village of Impendle in Kwa-Zulu Natal on Saturday…

Addressing the second Investment Summit in Sandton yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the ease of doing business in South Africa had significantly been improved. He says it's now faster and easier to register a business than was the case in the past. On the sidelines, some of the delegates were raising issues pertaining to the SMME sector. Where is the voice of the small business secto...

Several pledges have been made towards South Africa's economy at the second Investment Conference in Sandton, Johannesburg. The private sector and public entities have pledged to boost the country's ailing economy. President Cyril Ramaphosa has told local and international investors that government is tirelessly working to create a business environment that is competitive and conducive for investm...

As we enter Disability Month, we highlight the plight of people living with disabilities and talk about how this hard earned democracy is including them. Those who travel by public transport will tell you that taxi drivers don’t pick them up and how our buses are still not equipped for wheelchairs. Traffic lights are still not beeping for those who are blind. Let’s reflect now and find out where w...

American President Donald Trump’s administration has formally notified the United Nations that the U.S. is withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. What does this move entail for climate change, the work that has been done, the likes of other signatories, how will global climate diplomats to plot a way forward without the cooperation of the world's largest economy? In 2017 Trump announced tha...

Last week Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, delivered his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement to Parliament and the nation. It has been described as an austerity budget that has won support from big business. The minister has put forward proposals for deep cuts in the state’s budget that has met the ire of trade unions and NGO’s. Cosatu unions and Saftu have threatened resistance and even war with t...